Red Rash Collective

HEY GUYS!

We got a sneak peek at the new Chalk Talk EP last night.. IT’S THE BOMB! THIS IS GONNA BE HUGE!

Our interview with Black Churches

Heavy music. Its a term in the local/underground music scene that you don’t hear most often, but when you do and that band makes a name for themselves, you have no choice but to pay attention. If you’re like me, you are a big fan of Black Churches. Angry music, angry lyrics, and overall one of the best bands I’ve ever heard. Our last interview was with Pachangacha, which Crow plays in, and everyone has been telling us “DUDE, YOU GOTTA INTERVIEW BLACK CHURCHES”. Well we waited for the perfect time to do so, and here it is in it’s fullest. We thought this would be a perfect time since they have just gotten back from a huge US tour, a new record, and tons of buzz surrounding the band. We caught up with our good bud Crow to get the scoop on BC and see what goes on in their world as a band.

1. We always gotta start out with the basic question first, how did Black Churches start?

Bruce and I started playing music together before high school. We pretty much decided to play instruments so we could start a band. Through high school we started tons of different projects in my parents basement, played gameboy on the floor, and never hungout with any girls. Eventually we saved stoner from becoming a total fucking nerd and showed him how to be cool like us. Then Bless the Horse was born, which was Black Churches original name.

2. I personally, and I’m sure other people would like to know, what was the first Black Churches show like?

 The first Black Churches show was technically really awesome because it was at the legion in East Longmeadow, which was the old hall that we used to do shows in. But i think you’re more wondering about the first show we played as a band, which was a Bless the Horse show. It was to an empty bar in Palmer called Thirsty Johns. The thing is we met Funeral in Fame that night which was an amazing band full of amazing people. Doof is one of our favorite people that exists.

3. And with that last question, I think I’ll ask this. What has been your most favorite/fun show yet as a band?

We have played so many super fun shows over the past couple years. In particular i remember the last babe town show being really awesome. Kids hanging from the rafters and blood on the ceiling. good shit like that, you know.

4. Your new album is great. Everyone is buzzing about it alot. How do you think the songs differ from your previous releases? And how do you feel about the new album’s songs?

Hungry Mouths is definitely a lot different than Black Gold was. Black Gold to me was when we were first sort of learning how to write cohesive songs, it was a lot more bluesy and maybe more catchy. Hungry Mouths was pretty much written over the past year that we lived at babe town. We weren’t even writing it was a band for a while, bruce was mostly working on songs in his room and i had come up with drums parts in my head just from hearing him play the songs so many times. I think it’s a dark album, heavier than Black Gold was. Everything makes perfect sense to me when i listen to it, but i also live across the hall from bruce. I’ve had a lot of people tell me the album helps them get through shitty times, which is cool to me. It’s really angry and i want to people to feel angry when they listen to it, or at least listen to it when they feel angry.

5. What are your guys favorite songs to play live? Off the new album or old.

I Think we enjoy playing everything off of the new album a lot. In particular i know we talk about liking hungry mouths and mirage of a man.

6. You guys just recently toured in the winter, going all the way across the country and back. What were some of you favorite shows? Any stories you’d like to share as well?

I could probably talk tour stories for hours, so i’m going to have to save those for other conversations. I will say that it was one of the most insane experiences i have had. I didn’t expect the country to be how it was. Everyone needs to travel this country and see it because it was blow your mind. We had a lot of awesome shows, and some terrible shows. We had 3 days that didn’t ever get booked and one show that got cancelled in Chicago. I think my favorite shows were in Fort Worth, TX. Columbia, CA. and Pittsburgh, PA.

7. I think the one question alot of people want to know, what influences you guys musicially? Both as a band and as individual musicians?

This is kind of a hard question to answer. We all listen to really different music on our own but also share some influences. Off the top of my head i can say Radiohead… and i’m sure theres more. In the van we listened to CCR greatest hits, Beast of Burden by the Rolling Stones, The Thong Song, Soul Survivor by Akon and Young Jeezy, Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts, and Caribou. And don’t forget Wolfmother. Also understand that most of this was stuff that me and Stoner put on against Bruce’s will.

8. What do you think about the music scene right now in New England? Do you think it’s hit its peak or growing as we speak?

The music scene in New England… well to me the music scene is always there its just different all the time. It grows in different ways. I have been going to shows since i was a freshman in high school and still am… just not the same shows you know? I found out today that there is 3 or 4 houses that do shows in northampton that i never knew about. And i work in that town and live a town over. I feel like theres always a scene happening you just just don’t always know about it or connect it to the shows that you’re used to. I don’t really think there is ever a peak or a growth i think more that it’s a constant flow, in different directions sometimes.

9. You guys have played with a ton of bands that have been around for awhile, and some that are just starting. Any bands that you’re excited to see get bigger and grow?

Theres a lot of good bands around doing cool stuff. I see a lot of people get cocky and think they’re the next big thing. I think Band Name from Philly is the shit and I would love to see them get more recognition. They deserve it the most out of anyone i know. Also Ape up is going to Europe this spring and I am super psyched for them because they really deserve it. They’re going to destroy it. I’m psyched on the people who are playing music because they love it, and love to travel and hang with their friends. Not the kids who think they are rockstars.

10. When you guys aren’t playing music, what are you doing? On your down time that is.

I was just looking at the calendar of shows i have and between being in 3 bands it’s a lot of shit. When i’m not doing that i’m working, drinking a lot of coffee, and painting and drawing as much as i can. When it’s warm out i’ll be skating a lot, but I’ll always be drawing and painting as much as i can. Stoner is super busy graduating college and being a super smart engineer and shit. Which is tight because he gets to be involved with a lot of cool shit out in boston where he lives. He likes to drive his truck, listen to classic rock and mack the ladies. Bruce Works on bikes and goes hiking a lot. He is pretty much always playing guitar and writing music or eating ice cream.

-Crow

www.blackchurches.bandcamp.com

Big show in Springfield, MA this Friday!!!!

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